A final decision on whether Heywood's only tip will be saved is expected Friday.

Councillors are taking hundreds of signatures from Advertiser readers to a meeting of the county's waste authority, opposing plans to close the Peel Lane tip.

The closure would force Heywoodites to travel to facilities in Middleton, Rochdale or Bury to dispose of and rubbish, and has attracted widespread opposition from local residents and politicians.

This week, former councillor Brian Davies, a former vice-chairman of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, joined in criticism of the plans.

He said: “To me it seems like a totally backwards decision to make. When the tip was revamped, people said it was state-of-the-art and it has been doing an excellent job for the people of Heywood for many years.

“The only possible reason they have to close it is to save money and that is wrong. This week the government announced it would not be bringing back weekly waste collections as planned and that just goes to show why recycling is more important than ever.

“I feel like this is one sacrifice that is completely unreasonable for the people of the town to bear.”

Moves to close the tip, which were revealed by waste bosses in February, have been slammed by Heywood's Labour and Lib Dem councillors, with both parties collecting hundreds of signatures for the campaign.

Rochdale council also voted to oppose the plans at a meeting earlier this month, advising the GMWDA to seek savings elsewhere.

Coun Peter Rush, who will speak at tomorrow's meeting along with council leader Colin Lambert, said: “This campaign is so important for the people of Heywood and we are really hoping they listen to what we have to say.”